Cabinet-desk.



No. 700,04. Patented May 20, 1902.

' mmcopzumn.

CABINET DESK.

(Application filed July 8, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

I A I 11 No. 700474. Patbnted may 20, I902.

- n.-.|. COPELAND.

CABINETDESK. (Application filed July 8, 1899.)

(No Model.) ZSheets-Sheat 2.

s -a s IAIIHHIUHIIIIIIIII' UNI-TED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

Bonner JAMES COPELAND, or TORONTO, CANADA.

CABINET-DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,174, dated May 20, 1902. Application filed July 8, 1899. fierial No. 723,129. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT JAMES COPE} LAND,a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Toronto, in the Provinceof Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Cabinet-Desks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a cabinet-desk de:

time except upon the desk-top and into inter-.

locking engagement therewith, so as to pre vent the removal of a book from the desk-top except into the bookcase.

In carrying out the invention in its pref-- ferred manner one or more moving bookcases having each a series of compartments is arranged in convenient relation to the desk-top, so that one or more book-compartments may be brought in turn opposite and on a level vWith The book case or cases may, be arranged'for movement by any suitable the desk-top.

means and in any suitable direction so long as the compartments move in turn into and out of proper position for withdrawal of the books from the compartments upon the desktop.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, I have shown the preferred embodiment of the various features embraced by the-invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the cabinetdesk thrown open to expose all the parts. Fig. 2is a plan view in section above the desk-top. Fig. 3 is a front elevation. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the desk-top provided with a locking-bar, and Fig. 5'is a sectional end elevation of an account-book designed for use with the cabinet-desk.

1 is a stationary casing Within which are arranged two bookcases 2 and 3, fastened to.

the ends of a cord 4, which passes over the pulleys 5 and 6 in the top of the case, so as to suspend the bookcases for vertical movement. The bookcases, which thus balance each other, are each divided into a series of compartments. As shown in the drawings, these compartments in each bookcase are arranged in three horizontal rows '7, 8, and 9, one under the'other, with three separate bookcompartments in each horizontal row in each bookcase, making eighteen compartments in all. I Each book-compartment is designed to contain one book.

10 is a handle secured to the case 2 and projecting through a slot 11 in the casing 1, whereby the bookcases may be conveniently moved up and down.

In order that the unbalancing of the bookcases occasioned by the removal of one or more books from its case may not cause the bookcases to move, suitable means is provided to counteract the unbalancing effect. In Fig. 1 I have shown for this purpose a spring 12, secured to the case 2 and adapted toenter notches 13, 14, and 15"cu t in the wall of the casing 1, thenotches being so located as to engage the spring when a horizontal row of book-compartments in each bookcase is on a levelwith the desk-top.

The desk 17 is hinged to the front of the case 1, so that it may be thrown open and is arranged tobe locked when closed. The desktop 18 is provided with three slideways 19, 20, and 21 for the case 2 and three slideways '22, 23, and 24for the case 3. The cord tis of such length that the bottom row of compartments of'the case 3 and the top row of compartments of the case 2 may be brought on a 'level with the desk-top at the same time. As the cases change position the two middle rows are brought together on this level, and then likewise the bottom row of thecase 2 and the top row of the case The slideways of the desk-top extend from back to front and each isin alinement with a vertical rowof bookcompartments. The slideways are so arranged that a book may be slid into a slideway upon the desk-top directly fromits compartment when brought upon a level with the slideway, and the slideways are so arranged that when a book is slid therein the book will I the slideways and books shown in the drawings the backs 26 of the books 25 dovetail into the slideways, which are open at their rear ends and closed at their front ends. Thus the books may slide in but be engaged by the slideways. Of course various other arrangements for this purpose may be employed. The books preferably used are of the expansible variety, with telescopic posts 27 (see Fig. 5) to engage holes cut in removable sheets. The books are generally made to fit in the slideways in such a manner that when a book is in its slideway its covers cannot be expanded, and thus the removal of a sheet from a book is prevented at this time. This arrangementenables me to dispense with individual locks on the several books generally now employed in expansible ledger-bind-' ers. Means are provided which may vary widely in specific embodiment, whereby the removal of the books from their case is prevented or is barred when the books are not on a level with and opposite the desk-top. When the desk-top is provided with the engaging slideways, the removal of a book will be barred, except into a slideway, and thus it will be observed the books become a permanent though movable fixture of the apparatus.

In the structure shown in the drawings the desk 17 covers the open. fronts of the bookcases 2 and 3 when they are below the level of the desk-top. IVhen now the bookcases are moved above the level of the desk-top, the door 28, which is normally locked, constitutes means which prevents or bars the removal of the books except when on a level with the desk-top. The bottom of this door is above the desk-top a distance equal to the height of a book as it restsin its case, so that the book may be withdrawn from its case only when opposite the opening between the desk-top and the door 28, and therefore on a level with the desk-top. In the arrangement described, moreover, it will be seen that the books are barred from removal from their case except into an engaging slideway. Access to the books may be had by the responsible person, so that the books may be taken entirely away from the cabinet-desk for the purpose of removing sheets from the books or inserting new ones or for any other purpose by unlocking the desk 17 or the door28. This access will ordinarily not be given to the person in active charge of the books. Other ways for accomplishing this complete removal and detachment of the books from the cabinet-desk may be provided. In Fig. 4 I have shown one such way. The desk-top 18 as there shown has a hinged bar 20, adapted to close and open the front ends of the slideways in the desk-top. hen the bar is turned down, as shown in Fig. 4, the books may be The bar is kept braced in the invention may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings is only intended to represent the preferred embodiment of these features. For example, instead of having the backs of the books interlock with the desk-top, as shown and described herein, some other part of the book may interlock with the desk-top. Again, the relation of the desk-top to the book-compartments may be changed not only by moving a book, but also by moving the desk-top itself, the bookcase being either stationary or movable. It is not always essential that the desk-top be provided with slideways to receive and engage the books when the books are withdrawn from their compartments. This part of my invention includes within its scope any suitable means for engaging the books on the desk-top when they are withdrawn from their compartments. I prefer, however, to employ slideways.

It will be observed that the engagement of the desk-top and books is such that they are connected together, but without preventing the books from being moved on the desk-top. So far as I am aware, my invention is the first to provide such an arrangement of a book and a desk-top, and I wish to be understood as claiming the same broadly.

In the preferred construction of the bookcases 2 and 3 the book-compartments are constructed in one or more interior cases fitting in the cases 2 and 3 and which are removable therefrom, so that these interior cases may be removed and deposited in a safe or other repository when required without removing each book separately from its compartment. In Fig. 1 the compartments of the case 2 are formed in one removable case 30, so that all the books may be carried together in the removable case 30 and deposited in asafe. The case 3 is shown as having three separate removable cases 31, 32, and 33, stacked one upon another. This arrangement would be convenient where the books by reason of their number or size are too heavy to be handled conveniently all together. Of course the interior cases maybe arranged in separate vertical sections, as well as in separate horizontal sections, or otherwise divided.

The term book as herein used includes not only a book of the ordinary type, but also a cover or case of any suitable construction adapted to hold sheets, card, samples, &c., filed therein.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top, and a moving bookcase having a series of book-compartments, the desk-top and bookcase being so combined and arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bring its compartments on a level with the desk-top, and means for holding the books on the desktop to prevent the removal of the books therefrom except into the bookcase.

2. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top,

and avertically-movin g bookcase having a se-' means to prevent the removal of a book when not on a level with the desk-top, and means for holding the books on the desk-top to prevent the removal of the books therefrom except into the bookcase.

4. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top, and a vertically-moving bookcase having a series of book-compartments, the desk-top and bookcase being so combined and arranged that the bookcase may be moved soas to bring its compartments on a level with the desk-top, means to prevent the removal of a book when not on a level with the desk-top, and means for holding the books on the desk-top to prevent the removal of the books therefrom except into the bookcase.

5. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top, a cord, and a vertically-moving bookcase sus pended behind the desk-top by said cord and having a series of book-compartments, the desk-top and bookcase being so combined and arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bring its compartments on a level with and opposite the desk-top, and means for holding the books on the desk-top to pre-- vent the removal of the books therefrom except into the bookcase.

6. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top, a cord, and two moving bookcases suspended on opposite ends of said cord andhaving a series of book-compartments, the desk-top and bookcases being so combined and arranged that the bookcases may be moved so as to bring their compartments on a level with and opposite the desk-top, means to prevent the removal of a book when not on a level with and opposite the desk-top, and means for holding thebooks on the desk-top to prevent the removal of the books therefrom except into the bookcase. I

7. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top, a cord, and two vertically-moving bookcases suspended on the opposite ends of said cord behind and facing the desk-top so as to move simultaneously in opposite directions, and each having a vertical series of book-compa men s- 8. A cabinet-desk'comprising a desk-top, a cord, and two vertically-moving bookcases suspended on the opposite ends of said cord behind and facing the desk-top so as to move simultaneously in opposite directions, and

each having a vertical series of book-compartments, and means to prevent'the removal of a book when not on alevel with and opposite the desk-top.

9. A cabinet-desk comprisihg a desk-top, a cord, and two vertically-moving bookcases suspended on the opposite ends of said cord behind and facing the desktop so as to move simultaneously in opposite directions, and each having a plurality of vertical series of book-compartments, and a stationary casing inclosing the moving bookcases.

10. A desk-top having one or more ways in which a book may move back and forth, and having means constructed to engage such book to prevent it frombeing lifted from the desk-top.

11. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top having one or more ways in which abook may move back and forth, and having means constructed to engage such book to prevent it from being lifted from the desk-top; and a moving bookcase having a series of book-compartments, the desk-top and bookcase being so arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bring its compartments on alevel with the desk-top and in line with the ways therein, whereby the books of the different compartments maybe removed from their compartments directly to a way of the desk-top or the reverse.

12. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top having one or more ways in which a book may move back and forth, and having means constructed to engage such book to prevent it from being lifted from the desk-top; and a moving bookcase havinga series of book-compartments, the desk-top and bookcase being so arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bring its compartments on'a level with the desk-top and in line with the ways therein, whereby the books of the different" oompartments may be removed from their compartments directly to a Way of the desk-top or the reverse, and means to prevent the removal of a book from its compartment except to a way of the desk-top.

13. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top having one or more ways in which a book may move back and forth, and having means constructed to engage such book to prevent it from being lifted from the desk-top; and a vertically-moving bookcase arranged behind the desk-top. and having a series of book-compartments, the desktop and bookcase being so arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bring its compartments on a level with the desk-top and in line with the ways therein, whereby the books of the different compartments may be removed from their compartments directly to a way of the desk-top or the reverse.

14:. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top having one or more ways in which a book may move back and forth, and having means constructed to engage such book to prevent it from being lifted from the desk-top; and a moving bookcase suspended behind the desk-top by a cord and having a series'of book-compartments, the desk-top and bookcase being so arranged that the bookcase maybe moved so as to bring its compartments on a level with the desk-top and in line with the ways therein, whereby the books of the different compartments may be removed from their compartmentsdirectly to a way of thedesk-top or the compartments may be removed from their compartments directly to a way of the desktop or the reverse, and means to prevent the removal of a book from its compartment except to a way of the desk-top.

16. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top having one or more Ways in which a book may move back and forth, and having means constructed to engage such book to prevent it from being lifted from the desk-top; and a vertically-moving bookcase suspended behind the desk-top by a cord and having a series of book-compartments, the desk-top and bookcase being so arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bringits compartments on a level with the desk-top and in line with the ways therein, whereby the books of the diiferent compartments may be removed from their compartments directly to a way of the desk-top or the reverse, and means to prevent the removal of a book from its com partment except to a way of the desk-top.

17. The combination of a bookcase and a desk-top with books designed to fit in the bookcase and be removable therefrom upon the desk-top, said books and the desk-top having interlocking means whereby when a book is removed from its case upon the desk-top it enters into engagement with the desk-top, and means to prevent the removal of a book from its case except upon the desk-top.

18. The combination of a bookcase and a desk-top with books designed to fit in the bookcase and be removable therefrom upon the desk-top, the backs of said books and the desk-top having interlocking means whereby when a book is removed from its case upon the desk-top its back enters into engagement with the desk-top, and means to prevent the removal of a book from its case except upon the desk-top.

19. A closed casing having a moving bookcase therein and provided with an opening through which books in the moving case may be withdrawn, in combination with a desk top arranged in proximity to said opening and having means to engage the books when withdrawn from their case and so prevent the removal of the books from the desk-top except into the bookcase. a

20. The combination of a bookcase having a series of book-compartments and a desktop, the bookcase and desktop being arranged for changing their relative position so that the desk-top may come into proper position with respect to the, book-compartments for the withdrawal of the books from said compartment directly upon the desk-top,the desktop being provided with means for engaging the books to prevent their removal from the desk-top except intothe bookcase.

21. The combination of a bookcase having a series of book-compartments and a desk-top, the bookcase and desk-top being arranged for changing their relative position so that the desk-top may come into proper position with respect to the book-compartments for the withdrawal of the books from said compartment directly upon the desk-top, means for connecting the books with the desk-top to prevent the books from being lifted from the desk-top, and means to bar the withdrawal of a book from its compartment except into connection with the desk-top.

22. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top, and a moving bookcase having a series of book-compartments, said compartments being formed in one or more separate removable cases, the desk-top and bookcase being so combined and arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bring its compartments on a level with the desk-top, the desk-top being provided with means for engaging the books to prevent their removal from the desk-top except into the bookcase.

23. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top, and a moving bookcase having a series of book-compartments, said compartments being formed in one or more separate removable cases, the desk-top and bookcase being so combined and arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bring its compartments on a level with and opposite the desk-top, and means to prevent the removal of a book when not on a level with the desk-top, the desk-top being provided with means for engaging the books to prevent their removal from the desktop except into the bookcase.

2 L. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top, and two vertically moving bookcases suspended on the opposite ends of a cord behind the desk-top and each having a series of bookcompartments, said compartments being formed in one or more separate removable cases, and means to prevent the removal of a book when not on a level with the desk-top, the desk-top being provided with means for engaging the books to prevent their removal from the desk-top except into the bookcase.

25. A cabinet-desk comprising a desk-top having one or more ways in which a book may move back and forth, and having means constructed to engage such book to prevent it from being lifted from the desk-top; and a vertically moving bookcase arrangedbehind the desk-top and having a series oi. book-compartments, said compartments being formed in one or more separate removable cases, the desk-top and bookcase being so arranged that the bookcase may be moved so as to bring its compartments on a level with the desk-top and in line with the ways therein, whereby the-books of the difierent compartments may be removed from their compartments directly to a way of the desk-top or the reverse, and means to prevent the removal of abook from its compartment except to a way of the desktop.

26. The combination of a desk-top, a book i movable thereon, and interlocking means adapted and designed to movably connect the book with the desk-top and prevent it from being lifted therefrom.

27. The combination of a desk-top, a book -movable thereon, and interlocking means adapted and designed to movably connect the bookwith the desk-top and prevent it from being'lifted therefrom, and a bookcase to receive the book and having means to'prevent the removal of the book, except, into conn'ec-. tion with the desk-top so as to connect the books with the desk-top. V

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT JAMES COPELAND. Witnesses:

NICHOLAS M. GOODLETT, Jr., EDWIN ISEGER. 

